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The detailsWhere: The 122nd House District, which includes parts of Shelton, Trumbull and Stratford.When: July 22, from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.Why: To fill the unexpired term of Rep. Larry Miller, who died May 31.Candidates: Democrat Arlene Liscinsky and Republican Ben McGorty Polling places: Trumbull, St. Joseph High School; Shelton, Mohegan Elementary School and Long Hill Elementary School; Stratford, Bunnell High School and Chapel Street Elementary School.Who can vote: All registered voters residing in the 122nd House District.Absentee ballots: Must be delivered to the city or town clerk by noon the day of the election on July 22.

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You may have seen the lawn signs sprouting up in parts of Shelton, Stratford and Trumbull and wondered: "Isn't it a little early to begin campaigning for the November election?"

Those signs aren't for November. They're for a special election that's needed to fill the unexpired term of Larry Miller, the state representative from the 122nd House district who died May 31.

The special election will take place July 22. It's possible the winner of that election will never act on official legislative business, other than being sworn into office.

"It's dictated by state law," said Lou DeCilio, the Stratford registrars of voters. "If Mr. Miller had lived until July, there wouldn't have been any need for a special election. It's entirely possible that the winner won't ever get to vote on the floor of the Legislature if he or she loses in November."

Even if he wins July 22, Republican candidate Ben McGorty might not even get to on the ballot in November because he will face Mike Vickerelli, of Stratford, in a Republican primary for the 122nd on Aug. 12, which is also the date of the statewide Republican gubernatorial primary.

Vickerelli was supported by both the Trumbull and Stratford Republican delegation, but the Shelton delegation, which is larger than the other two combined, prevailed, DeCilio said.

The odd-shaped 122nd district includes a large swath of Shelton, including much of the Huntington, White Hills and Pine Rock Park sections, the part of Stratford north of the Merritt Parkway including Oronoque Village, and a small slice of eastern Trumbull. The Trumbull portion hasn't always been part of the 122nd. Miller, a Republican, represented the 122nd since 1991.

Officials say they're expecting a very light turnout. It's always a challenge getting voters interested in a special election and this one will take place during the height of the summer vacation season. Even the candidates agree the turnout will likely be small.

Still, both Liscinsky and McGorty said they are hopeful that the electorate will take notice and turn out to their polling places, or fill out an absentee ballot.

Both live in Shelton.

Liscinsky, 64, is a member of the Shelton Board of Education and ran for Miller's seat in 2002. She lived in Stratford for 12 years, but grew up in New York and Danbury.

"Over the years, I had a very nice relationship with Mr. Miller, both in my involvement with the Board of Ed and the Chamber of Commerce," Liscinsky said. "My passion is solving problems and helping people. I'm in the arena, certainly, on issues concerning education, and because my husband has to commute over the Tappan Zee Bridge every day, I'm well aware of commuter issues, too."

She said that now she's in her 60s, she expects to have more traction in Stratford's Oronoque Village and with other senior citizens, too.

"Now that I'm facing my rusty years, those issues are more important to me."

"I've been a volunteer with the Fire Department for 34 years and also at the Boys and Girls Club -- I'm on the board of directors." McGorty said. "I like to help my community, and now I want to help my state."